To remove the names of people from your phonebook that you no longer want to have the urge to call or text. Particularly those people who were the reciever of previous romantic advances or friends who have become "yucky" in some way or another. Can also be used to refer to regular clearing of business dead ends or ex-clients info.

person one: So hows the new unattached life going?

person two: After the first year, I needed to cauterize the phonebook in my berry, I think I was chasing too many possibilities. I keep texting old failed attempts. I need to chill out and focus on my own life.